A diet low in FODMAP’s may be of benefit to some IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) sufferers as it removes or alleviates symptoms of bloating, wind, abdominal pain with alternating bowel habits between constipation and diarrhoea with or without nausea and vomiting, but not all! Neither will it remove other physiological symptoms such as skin conditions, joint pain and discomfort, headaches or migraines.

A diet high, FODMAP’s (fruits, dairy, vegetables and grain cereals) are a category of carbohydrates, which rapidly fermented in the gut/ intestine.

It is important when speaking with your GP that you ask to be referred to a registered dietician with FODMAP approach training.

The low FODMAP diet is complex and so it is advisable to speak with a dietician, and one who is registered and experienced with this specialist diet. This is important as it is all to easy to begin a diet but omit certain foods which subsequently will also mean that either we do not benefit fully or we miss out on essential vitamins and minerals, this can have a detrimental affect on our body through lack of nutrition. Without the appropriate knowledge of foods, ingredients, processed foods, labels and eating out we can easily read information wrongly as some ingredients are ‘hidden’ being called different names like E numbers. There is a lot of confusing advice, some research has become outdated, then there is new research, and it is all too easy to read information on the internet to follow it to our detriment or even peril. It can also become ineffective.

The FODMAP diet is relatively new, so it is possible that a GP or gastroenterologist does not know if this diet, ask for them to refer you to a registered dietician to receive the correct up-to-date information. There are FODMAP trained dieticians working in the NHS and privately both may require referrals from your GP or consultant private dieticians may also require a referral. A vast amount of research and training is being undertaken a growing number of registered dieticians who are skilled in the delivery of the low FODMAP diet with formal training at a variety of global institutions.

I am a Christian wife, mother, daughter, who loves reading Bible, books, music, cooking, cycling, walking, enjoying God's creation, my family and friends which I capture whenever I can, concerned for and so working with children with/without Special Educational Needs for many years.